Melissa Shipley, SRES, graduated college with hopes of a career in sports marketing. When that didn’t pan out, she found herself in a job she didn’t like with a lot of free time, which she spent helping her brother look for a house online. She overwhelmed him with so many options, he encouraged her to pursue real estate. “He called and said, ‘You need to find some clients,’ ” says Shipley, 29. While she may once have dreamed of promoting professional athletes, Shipley found a career that plays to her strengths even better. She loves getting out into the community and diving into the process of matching buyers to their perfect house. “I think I’m really empathetic,” she says. “I like to hear people’s stories and see how I can help them. My goal’s not just to sell a house to you. I want to sell a lifestyle.”